Printed from: www.icbl.org/campaign/calendar/wellington_conference_on_cluster_munitions

---

Wellington Conference on Cluster Munitions

Date(s): 18 Feb 08 -22 Feb 08

Location: Wellington, New Zealand.

The 4th international conference of the Oslo Process (after Oslo, Lima, and Vienna)- international initiative to ban cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians, assist survivors and affected communities and ensure clearance of their land. The conference will result in a draft treaty text that countries will agree to negotiate in Dublin, Ireland from 19-30 May 2008.
Controversial issues on the agenda include the definition of a cluster bomb and calls for exemptions based on self-destruct mechanisms, a 1% failure rate and other so-called technical fixes.

WHO:
· At least 300 representatives from 100 governments.
· Over 100 civil society representatives from around the world including clearance experts and former soldiers.
· Survivors of cluster bombs from Serbia to Iraq.
· Distinguished guests including Nobel Peace Prize winner Jody Williams.

WHEN: The formal conference opens Monday 18 February with a Maori welcome and addresses by New Zealand’s Minister of Arms Control and Disarmament Phil Goff and deputy director of UNICEF Hilde Johnson. The formal talks continue throughout the week until Friday, 22 February 2008.

18th: February: (TIME TBC): Opening press conference
20th February: (12:00 – 15:00): Stunt
22nd February: (TIME TBC): Closing press conference

Further public actions and events are scheduled throughout the week during the lunch hour and evenings: Listing of Public Events.

WHERE: Wellington Town Hall, New Zealand. Media are invited to the opening and closing ceremonies of the conference, press conferences and public events. Please register with the New Zealand government here: Media Registrations

More ICBL info: Kasia Derlicka ( kasia@icbl.org) . More external info: Mary Wareham ( mary@oxfam.org.nz) Webpage
.